Friday, 17 May 2024

Badminton Pan America

The world of badminton offers exciting opportunities for young players, but what happens once their playing career comes to an end? For many, transitioning to the “real world” can be a challenge. Recognizing this, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has taken steps to support players in pursuing educational and alternate career goals alongside their competitive journey.

At the BWF World Junior Championships last October, the federation engaged with over 300 players from 27 Member Associations, providing them with detailed information on the projects and resources available to them. BWF Development Manager Erica Khoo and BWF Development Officer Tracy Tan led focus group sessions, where they interacted with players and discussed the federation’s offerings. In addition to informative discussions, the sessions incorporated a fun quiz and gift takeaways to keep the atmosphere lively.

One of the key projects that caught the attention of young players was the dual-career pathway developed in partnership with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS). This pathway offers programs such as the Athlete Certificate, Bachelor of International Sport Management degree, and Postgraduate Certificate in International Sport Management. These programs not only provide valuable knowledge but also focus on essential skills like time management, navigating social media, and promoting athletes’ health and wellbeing. It was also exciting for participants to learn that BWF offers full scholarships for those competing at the World Juniors to complete these courses.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  BWF News

The value of pursuing a career within badminton itself was also highlighted, with roles such as tournament organizers, national administrators, coaches, technical officials, and Shuttle Time instructors being potential pathways for players. International players can even take advantage of the Fast Track Coaching Course under the BWF Coach Education pathway program.

The feedback from players and teams has been overwhelmingly positive, and as a result, BWF intends to expand its reach to more players at various events and levels, including Para badminton, Super 100, International Challenge, International Series, and junior tournaments. This initiative will provide even more opportunities for players to engage with the federation’s resources and support.

Looking ahead, BWF plans to collaborate closely with Continental Confederations to deliver activations during the upcoming continental competitions for juniors, Para badminton, and senior players in 2023. By continuing to engage and support players beyond the court, BWF is making strides towards building a brighter future for the badminton community.

FAQs

Q: What resources does the Badminton World Federation (BWF) offer to support young players?
A: The BWF offers various resources to support young players, including educational and alternate career pathways. Players can benefit from programs such as the Athlete Certificate, Bachelor of International Sport Management degree, and Postgraduate Certificate in International Sport Management. These programs focus not only on building knowledge but also on developing essential skills like time management and navigating social media. Additionally, BWF provides scholarships for players competing at the World Juniors to complete these courses.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  News | BWF World Tour

Q: Are there career opportunities within the badminton industry for players?
A: Yes, there are several career opportunities within the badminton industry for players. Roles such as tournament organizers, national administrators, coaches, technical officials, and Shuttle Time instructors are potential pathways for players to consider. International players can also take advantage of the Fast Track Coaching Course offered by the BWF Coach Education pathway program.

Summary

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) recognizes the challenges young players face when transitioning from their playing careers to the “real world.” To support them, BWF has developed projects and resources that enable players to pursue educational and alternate career goals alongside their competitive journey. At the BWF World Junior Championships, the federation engaged with over 300 players, providing them with detailed information on the available resources. This included focus group sessions led by BWF Development Manager Erica Khoo and BWF Development Officer Tracy Tan, where players were able to learn about the dual-career pathway offered in collaboration with the World Academy of Sport. The positive response from players has encouraged BWF to expand their reach and support to more players at various events and levels. By doing so, BWF aims to build a brighter future for the badminton community. Visit Carnegiecentre.com to learn more and get involved.